INFORMATION FOR
YOUR REASSURANCE
Public Liability Insurance - Toomer Tree Services use specialist tree surgery public liability insurance. Due to the nature of our work, equipment used, and heights worked at, only specialist insurance will cover us for the work we do. We are covered to the value of £5,000,000. General landscape and gardening insurance will not cover for tree surgery work. Insurance documents available on request.
INSURANCE
Vehicle Insurance – All our vehicles and machinery are fully insured and taxed for the purpose of driving on the highway and working on a tree surgery site. Insurance documents available on request. Our staff hold the correct (BE) licence to legally tow trailed equipment on the public highway.
QUALIFICATIONS
As a professional tree surgery company our staff are fully qualified to carry out all ground based and aerial tasks.
CS30/31 - Covers ground based chainsaw operations, safe tree felling techniques and safety maintenance on powered equipment.
CS 38/39 - Covers safe tree climbing techniques and aerial rescue techniques. This covers all aspects of recovering an injured climber from height and administering first aid and notifying emergency services. This is a qualification one never wants to use but is key in any professional companies profile.
CS40 - Covers the climbing and pruning of trees to BS3998 tree surgery standards and accessing and working in trees using the correct equipment and safe operation of a chainsaw in a tree.
CS41 - This qualification covers all aspects of aerial tree rigging techniques involving lowering branch sections and timber in a controlled manner using rigging equipment where there is the risk of severed material coming into contact with unmovable targets within the working area.
CS34 - Covers techniques to deal with hazardous trees that have been uprooted and damaged by adverse weather conditions. Trees that have been damaged in this way can be dangerous, holding a lot of tension and compression within in the branches.
MEWP (Cherry picker) - Our staff are certificated and competent in the safe use of a mobile elevated working platform. In some cases it is agreed that the safest form of access is a MEWP. This machine is used where a tree is deemed to dangerous to access with a rope and harness or where climber fatigue is likely.
Woodchipper Operations - Our staff are qualified and competent to use these powerful machines safely, meeting the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. (PUWER)
First Aid and Aerial Rescue – At any one time there is always a qualified first aider on site along with an extensive first aid medical kit. Also at least one member of staff on site will be able to perform an aerial rescue operation. This involves getting an injured climber safely and quickly out of the tree to the ground in the event of an accident.
Stage 1 and 2 Site Specific Risk Assessment - Toomer Tree Services work in accordance to a detailed stage 1 generic risk assessment. Stage 2 is a site specific risk assessment and is completed onsite detailing any risk to health or environment. On the day of work the risk assessment will be available and in some cases it must be read, understood and signed by anyone wishing to enter the working area.
Planning Applications – When working in a conservation area a planning application must be submitted before any works are able to commence. The local planning office will then process the application and make the decision to grant or decline the application. The same planning application process is needed for working on any trees with a Tree Preservation Order. We are happy to submit planning applications on behalf of our clients. This process takes approximately 6 weeks.
Public Highways – To legally work on a public highway you need to hold a ‘Chapter 8’ sign, lighting and guarding certificate. To use even basic road management signs you must hold the relevant Chapter 8 qualification to comply with highways legislation. This ensures the safety of our staff and the public. We at Toomer Tree Services are certificated to work on public highways.
Traffic Light Applications – On occasions our work requires traffic light road management. To use traffic lights a licence and road space application must be submitted to the local traffic management team. Approval is required before works can commence. We can arrange this licence on behalf of our clients.
Waste Management - All waste that is removed from our tree surgery work is disposed of legally. We have more than one dedicated area to dispose of wood chippings and timber waste that is generated from our tree surgery and hedge trimming operations. This gives us the ability to take waste away from our sites efficiently and safely, keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible. We are also using rechargeable battery operated power tools such as hedge trimmers and pruning chainsaws to minimise the use of fossil fuels.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS, LICENCES & ASSESSMENTS
PPE & ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – All our staff wear the correct PPE for the task they are carrying out. Class one, two and three chainsaw boots, trousers and gloves are worn at all times whilst carrying out cutting operations. This type of chainsaw protection is imperative and is capable of stopping a chainsaw with a chain speed of up to 28 metres per second. Our protective safety helmets comply with BS EN12492 and have built in ear defenders to BS EN 352-1 and a safety visor to BS EN1731. Hand protection for non chainsaw related duties are standard work gloves offering good protection from thorns and cold weather. Chainsaw gloves to BS EN 381-7 are used whilst carrying out any form of cutting using a chainsaw. We also use hi visibility clothing whilst working on the highway or in places of industry. We carry a suitably stocked first aid kit and a tested fire extinguisher.
Essential Equipment Maintenance ( LOLER) – It is a legal requirement that all equipment used for tree surgery such as ropes, lowering systems and clips must be thoroughly checked by a certificated examiner every 6 months. Larger equipment, every 12 months. Once checked a LOLER certificate (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is then issued. Any faulty equipment is destroyed and replaced.
SITE VISIT & PAYMENT
Site Visit – Our site visits are carried out by a qualified tree surgeon who will have vast experience in all aspects of the job. Details of the work will be taken along with the tree owners contact details. This will then be followed by a detailed written quotation either via email or post. Once our quotation is accepted a date will then be booked for the works to commence.
Payment – On completion of works a strict payment term of 7 days. Any additional work that is requested on the day, which is not detailed on the original quotation may incur additional cost and another invoice raised.
If you require a quotation and wish to arrange a free site visit please call us on
01963 250088 or 07515 030 611
You can also email us at toomertreeservices@outlook.com
